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reeves hill windfarm

Climate Change

Most climatic scientists agree that human activity, mainly from burning fossil fuels, has increased global warming within the last 50 years...

Greenhouse gases trap the sun's rays causing the earth's surface to heat up, "between 2000 and 2005, emissions grew four times faster than in the proceeding ten years" (Source: The Global Carbon Project)

"Four out of the five warmest years for more than three centuries have occurred during the past 10 years..."

A rise in temperature by only two degrees is predicted to have the following consequences within the UK:

• Severe loss of land due to rising sea levels, most pronounced in the South of the country
• Droughts in the South would be likely to become severe, hotter summers would mean an increase in demand for water, exacerbated by advanced evapotranspiration from reservoirs
• The North of England is predicted to suffer both wetter summers and winters, heavily impacting crop production
• All parts of the country are expected to experience increased chances of severe weather, including storms and flash flooding
• The above changes in our climate would affect the majority of the UK's wildlife resulting in; disrupted breeding, hampered migrations and an increase in disease transmission

Our current world population of 6.5 billion is, according to the United Nations, growing at a rate of 1.2% annually and this figure is set to exceed 9 billion by 2050.  How will the UK, which is currently 63% self sufficient in food production, compete for food in international markets at a time when there will be less land under cultivation due to population increase, rising sea levels and expected drought conditions in many areas?

Action is needed now if we are to reduce emissions at the least cost to society. It has been shown that delaying the onset of cuts in emission reductions will mean that far greater cuts will have to be made in later years. To ensure a given atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide is not exceeded it has been estimated (Malte Meinshausen) that cuts of 14% now would have the same effect as a 31% cut implemented after 10 years.